Media & Entertainment

Sports betting companies tripled TV ad spend in the last months of 2021: With sports gambling available to more people than ever before, operators look to national TV to bring in customers.

Samsung smart TVs will bring video games to users this year: The connected TV (CTV) manufacturer partners with several game streaming services in a move that could spur similar features from rivals.

Facebook, now Meta, has pushed the idea of the metaverse into the mainstream. Investment into the still-novel concept, which has seen resources poured into augmented reality and virtual reality devices, is driving the top five tech trends for the year ahead.

US box office finishes 2021 strong with “Spider-Man”: At $4.5 billion, 2021’s box office more than doubled that of 2020. While that’s behind 2019 revenues, marketers need not worry: The entertainment industry is still spending more than ever.

Shortening of CES points to lower preference for virtual shows: With 150-plus exhibitors choosing digital presentations in wake of the latest COVID-19 wave, CES will close a day early.

Rounding up news from the last days of 2021: The news cycle didn’t stop over the holidays. These are some of the most notable stories from the last two weeks.

Marvel’s ups and downs in 2021 signal change for the film industry: The superhero franchise returned to theaters this year, but trouble abroad and issues with streaming will force studios to rethink blockbuster release strategies.

Across industries, apps are trying to become super apps: Turning to delivery, music, and streaming, several major apps dramatically broadened their services in 2021 and became the de facto hubs for their industries.

Nielsen’s rocky 2021 gave rise to new measurement competitors: TV networks that once relied on measurement firms to do business have now joined CTV manufacturers in staking their own claim.

On this special edition of the show, we're taking a look back at some of the most notable conversations we've had this year. In this episode, we discuss what the media world will look like by 2030 concerning digital ads, shopping, banks, pay TV, digital video, and esports.

How the “metaverse” developed in 2021: The concept has been around for decades, but came of age this past year amid the Facebook rebrand.

Virtual events didn’t make major strides in 2021: Despite another year of the pandemic fueling adoption, don't expect virtual events to become higher fidelity than in-person events anytime soon.

On this special edition of the show, we're taking a look back at some of the most notable conversations we've had this year. In this episode, we discuss how the "Behind the Numbers" podcast got started and hand out our very own "Analysts' Choice Awards."

The metaverse will be put to the test in 2022: Some firms may find their metaverse dreams held back by wearable technology, while others attempt to woo brands to their spaces.

Among US gamers, PlayStation Now and Xbox Game Pass are the most popular video game subscription services, used by 21% and 18% of those ages 18 and older, respectively.

Breakout hits solidified streaming services’ grip as linear TV struggled: Streaming services lead the industry, but they still face piracy and subscription woes.

Virtual reality content revenues worldwide will jump from $2.16 billion in 2021 to $8.31 billion in 2025.

On today's episode, we discuss some very specific 2022 predictions: Why Amazon is looking to expand into sports media, why TikTok will force YouTube to do something reckless, why Clubhouse might not last the year as a standalone company, how Disney might reposition Hulu, how Apple will re-enter the streaming wars, and more. Tune in to the discussion with eMarketer principal analysts at Insider Intelligence Debra Aho Williamson, Paul Verna, and Andrew Lipsman.

TikTok’s upcoming desktop livestreaming feature threatens Twitch: TikTok Live Studio will let users stream anything from their PC, including video games, for viewers to watch on the TikTok app.

Google ramps up mobile AR efforts: This could be the push for Google Glass for the masses, opening up competition with Meta and Apple’s wider AR and VR.